Nut/bolt measuring device

Abstract

The nut and bolt measuring tool is a clamping hand tool that is used to rapidly and accurately measure the size of nuts, bolts and other similar fittings. The measuring tool has a first arm, a second arm, a medial pivot, and a spring member. The first arm and second arm are pivotally connected medially, and each have a clamping portion that are held together in a closed position by the spring member bias when the tool is not in use. Handle portions on each arm may be squeezed together in order to fit the tool over a fitting to be measured, with the spring member allowing the tool to be locked in place. One handle is equipped with a double-sided measurement arm that engages a pair of pointers on the other handle for making a measurement while the tool is in use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a nut and bolt measuring tool according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a nut and bolt measuring tool according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a nut and bolt measuring tool according to the present invention, showing the opposite face from that shown in FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A nut and bolt measuring tool, comprising: a first arm having a clamping portion and a handle portion, the clamping portion and the handle portion each having a proximal end and a distal end, the clamping portion having a first clamping pad mounted at the distal end thereof, the handle portion being substantially C-shaped and defining a channel therein, the handle portion further having a recess extending laterally therethrough at the distal end thereof, the recess defining two pointers;a second arm, the second arm having a clamping portion and a handle portion, the clamping portion and the handle portion each having a proximal end and a distal end, the clamping portion having a second clamping pad mounted at the distal end thereof, the handle portion being substantially C-shaped and defining a channel therein, the handle portion further having a substantially perpendicular measurement arm extending from the distal end thereof, the measurement arm engaging the recess at the distal end of the handle portion of the first arm, the measurement arm having a knob formed at a terminal point thereof;a pivot pin pivotally connecting the first arm and the second arm at a point substantially near the proximal end of the clamping portion of the first arm, the proximal end of the handle portion of the first arm, the proximal end of the clamping portion of the second arm, and the proximal end of the handle portion of the second arm; anda spring positioned between the handle portion of the first arm and the handle portion of the second arm, the spring member biasing the clamping pad of the first arm and the clamping pad of the second arm against each other when the nut and bolt measurement tool is in a closed position.

2. The nut and bolt measuring tool as recited in claim 1, wherein said spring has opposed first and second ends, the second end being fixed to said second arm, the first end being slidably received within the channel of said first arm.

3. The nut and bolt measuring tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the measurement arm has opposed first and second faces, the first face having first measurement indicia scale formed thereon.

4. The nut and bolt measuring tool as recited in claim 3, wherein the second face has a second measurement indicia scale formed thereon.

5. The nut and bolt measuring tool as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second clamping pads has a substantially planar contour.

6. A nut and bolt measuring tool, comprising: a first elongated arm and a second elongated arm, each of the arms having a first end defining a jaw and a second end defining a handle, the first and second arms being pivotally joined medially, each of the handles being C-shaped in transverse section to define a channel within each handle, the first arm having a notch bifurcating an end of the handle distal from the pivotal junction of the first and second arms to define a pair of pointers;a measurement blade extending substantially normal to an end of the second arm distal from the pivotal junction of the first and second arms, the blade having opposing faces and a measurement scale formed on at least one of the opposing faces, a portion of the blade being slidable between the pair of pointers to display a measurement thereon; andmeans for biasing the first and second arms into a closed position in which the jaws of the first and second arms bear against each other, the first and second arms being pivotal to an open position separating the jaws, the first and second scales being calibrated to measure separation of the jaws;whereby nuts and bolts are clamped between the jaws to display a required wrench size on the measurement scale.

7. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, further comprising a clamping pad disposed on each of said jaws.

8. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, wherein said means for biasing comprises a spring disposed between the handles of said first and second arms.

9. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, wherein said means for biasing comprises a leaf spring disposed between the handles of said first and second arms.

10. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, wherein said means for biasing comprises a torsion spring disposed between the handles of said first and second arms.

11. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, wherein each of the opposing faces of said measurement blade has a measurement scale formed thereon.

12. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, wherein one of the opposing faces of said measurement blade has an SAE scale formed thereon and the opposite face has a metric scale formed thereon.

13. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, wherein said measurement blade has a stop formed on an end thereof opposite the second arm in order to prevent the first arm from pivoting past the end of said measurement blade.